Mangaluru: Digital fever seems to have caught up with people across India post demonetisation. Security, trade and banking are the prime areas where digitisation is making a huge impact off late showing exponential growth.
But imagine Wi-Fi connectivity on a bus which goes around villages from the city. Natekal resident, A B Ibrahim, owner of Golden Line Travels has incorporated Wi-Fi connectivity in his bus. The bus from Mangalore city to Huhakuva Kallu, a rural suburb is fitted with a “Jio” router which provides quick and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity to all passengers on the bus. The required ID and password are prominently displayed on the bus for all to see and use the facility to make their journey enjoyable.
Owner Ibrahim’s son Rehaman, who drives the bus, got in touch with his friend Afreez to implement the “Wi-Fi project” in the bus. Their intention was to encourage educated people from rural areas, who are normally hesitant to use the Wi-Fi facility.
Believe it or not! The bus is already a big hit among the passengers with people waiting and lining up to board route no 54A “Golden Line” bus. All passengers get free quality Wi-Fi service without any connectivity problems. The router for Wi-Fi connectivity is charged during the night when the bus is parked and passengers use the free service throughout the day during travel.
Passengers are happy with the “freebie”, says conductor Kunzhi and says none has encountered connectivity. College students and youth have already taken a special liking for the Wi-Fi bus and the revenues are definitely bound to increase with the “rural folk” opting for “Wi-Fi rides”. The bus travels through Thokkottu, Kuthar, Deralakatte, Kalkatta, Manjanady, Montepadav and Montugoli during its onward journey.
Bus owners and the staff want the rural folk to utilise the service for their own benefit and help in educating the “digitally ignorant” rural community. If the free Wi-fi facility is employed judiciously the Global Line bus may give a new thrust for the “Digital India” campaign in churning “digital literates”.
